Innovative New Sheet Forming Processes

这个项目是基于将一种新的表面几何理论应用于板材成形过程。几何理论生成具有各种形状的切面的三维表面，并以重复数组排列和连接。该理论的独特之处在于，生成的表面可以由片状材料在严格的折叠过程中产生。本研究旨在探讨不同薄片材料的折叠方式以满足生成的表面排列，以及图案选择对表面物理性质的影响。这些特性包括抗压性、柔韧性/刚性、减震性和层压板的桁架强度。例如，在层压板，许多模式优于蜂窝。应用范围广泛，如瓦楞纸箱、包装材料、高速公路屏障垫、隔音板、鞋子填充材料、刨花板的替代品、建筑物的预制地板、屋顶和墙板、更安全的汽车门、复合桥面和航空航天的轻质结构部件。

This project is based on applying a new theory of surface geometry to sheet forming processes. The geometric theory generates three-dimensional surfaces with variously shaped facets arranged and connected in a repeating array. The theory is unique in that the generated surfaces can be produced from sheet material in a strictly folding process. This research is to investigate the folding of different sheet materials to meet the generated surface arrangements, and the effect of pattern selection on the surfaces' physical properties. These properties include crush resistance, flexibility/rigidity, shock absorption, and the truss strength in a laminated panel. For instance in the laminated panel, many of the patterns out-perform honeycomb. Applications can be varied and extensive in areas such as corrugated boxes, packaging materials, highway barrier cushions, sound baffles, padding material for shoes, a replacement for particle board, prefabricated floor, roof and wall panels for buildings, safer automobile doors, composite bridge decks, and lightweight structural components for aerospace.